Cape May Like A Local
Dining Out/Restaurants
Don't be fooled by its beauty, some of Cape May's best food can be found at its most casual establishments.
In addition to the below list, serious oyster fans may be game for the drive to Sweet Amalia’s, a woman-owned oyster farm focused on sustainable aquaculture and featuring a lunch/early dinner menu.
This revamped old dive bar is our favorite by a long shot. It features a thoughtful menu (including many local products) and wine list, celebrating options from lesser-known wine regions like Georgia (the country) and Lebanon. The small patio has peaceful marsh views, and there is live music most nights, too.
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Mayer's Tavern
894 3rd AveThis revamped old dive bar is our favorite by a long shot. It features a thoughtful menu (including many local products) and wine list, celebrating options from lesser-known wine regions like Georgia (the country) and Lebanon. The small patio has peaceful marsh views, and there is live music most nights, too.
CM’s chaotic grand dame - it is touristy madness, but in a good way. Enjoy drinks/snacks/live music on the Schooner, have a casual dinner at the Raw Bar, or order takeout to eat on the dock. The “formal” indoor dining room (think 1960s “posh” restaurant that has sailed past its prime, with uniformed servers and lobster thermidor on the menu) is not for the faint of heart. For many, dinner hour in CM is 4:30 pm sharp and you will see large groups queueing for this experience!
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The Lobster House
906 Schellengers Landing RdCM’s chaotic grand dame - it is touristy madness, but in a good way. Enjoy drinks/snacks/live music on the Schooner, have a casual dinner at the Raw Bar, or order takeout to eat on the dock. The “formal” indoor dining room (think 1960s “posh” restaurant that has sailed past its prime, with uniformed servers and lobster thermidor on the menu) is not for the faint of heart. For many, dinner hour in CM is 4:30 pm sharp and you will see large groups queueing for this experience!
A down and dirty shack a few minutes' drive outside of town, with town’s best crab bisque and a delicious local smoked fish dip. Quieter and better food than Lobster House. They also sell fish to go, but I prefer Lobster House's fish market (which has them beat on both price and selection).
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H&H Seafood Market
956 Ocean DrA down and dirty shack a few minutes' drive outside of town, with town’s best crab bisque and a delicious local smoked fish dip. Quieter and better food than Lobster House. They also sell fish to go, but I prefer Lobster House's fish market (which has them beat on both price and selection).
Perhaps the best kept secret on the beach. Serene oceanfront views, a casual atmosphere, and hardly ever a wait, even at prime dinner hour. It is also welcoming to little ones - they have a "treasure chest" of prizes when you exit. Transport yourself to a Greek or Turkish island by ordering any of the Mediterranean-inspired mezze. BYO.
Mermaids Restaurant
702 Beach AvenuePerhaps the best kept secret on the beach. Serene oceanfront views, a casual atmosphere, and hardly ever a wait, even at prime dinner hour. It is also welcoming to little ones - they have a "treasure chest" of prizes when you exit. Transport yourself to a Greek or Turkish island by ordering any of the Mediterranean-inspired mezze. BYO.
For a quick lunch or early dinner on the beach, you can’t go wrong with Lala Lobster, a takeaway counter serving town's hands-down BEST lobster rolls. Their lobster bisque is also divine. Take the food to the beach or sit at one of their outdoor tables. Right next to El Pueblo, also in this guide.
La La Lobster Cape May
732 Beach AvenueFor a quick lunch or early dinner on the beach, you can’t go wrong with Lala Lobster, a takeaway counter serving town's hands-down BEST lobster rolls. Their lobster bisque is also divine. Take the food to the beach or sit at one of their outdoor tables. Right next to El Pueblo, also in this guide.
For lunch on the beach or a quick dinner, this
is town’s best Mexican food, in a casual takeaway counter setting (it even rivals the authentic spots in our neighborhood at home, South Philadelphia). They get busy, so call to order before you leave the house - by the time you walk there, your order should be ready. It's next to LaLa Lobster (another guidebook pick) and also has some outdoor tables.
El pueblo taqueria 2
730 Beach AvenueFor lunch on the beach or a quick dinner, this
is town’s best Mexican food, in a casual takeaway counter setting (it even rivals the authentic spots in our neighborhood at home, South Philadelphia). They get busy, so call to order before you leave the house - by the time you walk there, your order should be ready. It's next to LaLa Lobster (another guidebook pick) and also has some outdoor tables.
For a higher-end date night, this chalkboard menu BYO, emphasizing local ingredients, is lovely. The YB and Freda’s are also nice for this, though the menus are not as seasonally driven.
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Louisa's Chocolate Bar
108 Jackson StreetFor a higher-end date night, this chalkboard menu BYO, emphasizing local ingredients, is lovely. The YB and Freda’s are also nice for this, though the menus are not as seasonally driven.
Despite its dive-bar appearance, it has both local options (don’t miss the scallops) as well as the expected junk food. You may see C-View airplane ads at the beach: “Best Wings in Cape May.” It’s true! An added bonus is the value - it’s much less expensive than comparable places in town.
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C-View Inn
1380 Washington St Despite its dive-bar appearance, it has both local options (don’t miss the scallops) as well as the expected junk food. You may see C-View airplane ads at the beach: “Best Wings in Cape May.” It’s true! An added bonus is the value - it’s much less expensive than comparable places in town.
Sightseeing & Culture
You don't need to stay here in order to appreciate the vibe of the majestic porch. Great for morning coffee, evening cocktails, and even people-watching the weddings there. Big lawn for kids to run.
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Congress Hall
200 Congress PlYou don't need to stay here in order to appreciate the vibe of the majestic porch. Great for morning coffee, evening cocktails, and even people-watching the weddings there. Big lawn for kids to run.
A new (and long overdue museum) very close to the house.
Harriet Tubman lived in Cape May in the early 1850s, working to help fund her missions to guide enslaved people to freedom. In fact, Cape May played a pivotal role in the fight to end slavery, with several prominent abolitionists spending their summers in here. The museum sits on a block that was a center of abolitionist activity.
Book your entry ahead on their website.
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Harriet Tubman Museum
632 Lafayette StA new (and long overdue museum) very close to the house.
Harriet Tubman lived in Cape May in the early 1850s, working to help fund her missions to guide enslaved people to freedom. In fact, Cape May played a pivotal role in the fight to end slavery, with several prominent abolitionists spending their summers in here. The museum sits on a block that was a center of abolitionist activity.
Book your entry ahead on their website.
Lovely historic home and grounds, 3 minutes from the house on foot, offering various tours and open-air trolley rides. They also frequently host fairs (craft and otherwise) that are fun for a look-around.
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Emlen Physick Estate
1048 Washington StLovely historic home and grounds, 3 minutes from the house on foot, offering various tours and open-air trolley rides. They also frequently host fairs (craft and otherwise) that are fun for a look-around.
Local Markets/Cooking At Home
With Cape May’s abundant local ingredients, the food you can prepare at home rivals the town’s restaurants, for a fraction of the cost.
In addition to the picks below, check No-Frills on Seashore Rd (so local that AirBNB doesn't recognise it as a guidebook listing) for local produce and farm eggs, sometimes even duck and turkey eggs. Go early before they run out. Rea's and Duckie's are good for local veggies too.
If you're cooking at home, this is the spot for fresh seafood, and they also have some prepared food. If you've walked or cycled there, they will put your items on ice for the commute back home. They have a big selection, but don't forget to ask what is locally fished (Cape May is still an operating commercial fishing port!)
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The Lobster House
906 Schellengers Landing RdIf you're cooking at home, this is the spot for fresh seafood, and they also have some prepared food. If you've walked or cycled there, they will put your items on ice for the commute back home. They have a big selection, but don't forget to ask what is locally fished (Cape May is still an operating commercial fishing port!)
Beautiful local ingredients and gifts (very Chip & Jo Gaines, but it works, and the kids will like chasing the chickens around). This spot is the move for pastured meat (they raise their own) and sheep milk products (even popsicles!) from local Misty Meadow Dairy.
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Beach Plum Farm
140 Stevens StBeautiful local ingredients and gifts (very Chip & Jo Gaines, but it works, and the kids will like chasing the chickens around). This spot is the move for pastured meat (they raise their own) and sheep milk products (even popsicles!) from local Misty Meadow Dairy.
Wake up early to score bread and veggies from this farm, aka “The Bread Lady." Check social media for her schedule - she often runs two pop-ups per week, both around 10 AM.
The signs at the farm request that you not to buy too much, so that there will be enough bread for all folks in the sometimes-lengthy queue, so my move is to usually get 1-3 items, depending on how many folks I'm serving.
Enfin Farms
609 Sunset BlvdWake up early to score bread and veggies from this farm, aka “The Bread Lady." Check social media for her schedule - she often runs two pop-ups per week, both around 10 AM.
The signs at the farm request that you not to buy too much, so that there will be enough bread for all folks in the sometimes-lengthy queue, so my move is to usually get 1-3 items, depending on how many folks I'm serving.
If you’re ready to go super-Slow Food, this small, friendly farm (about a 20 minute drive) offers “pick your own fruit” on most mornings. Check their Facebook page for what’s picking that day.
Stiles Farm and Nursery
172 South Delsea DriveIf you’re ready to go super-Slow Food, this small, friendly farm (about a 20 minute drive) offers “pick your own fruit” on most mornings. Check their Facebook page for what’s picking that day.
Shopping
GIVENS
418 Washington StThe chic-est spot on the Washington Street Mall.
Happy Baby Boutique
405 W Perry StA cute shop for little ones.
Apero Hour / Light Snacks
On farmland a short drive outside of town, this is a fun, family-friendly spot for happy hour and/or a casual picnic dinner. BYO food (or order from the rotating on-site food truck), BYO picnic blanket (or gather around one of their picnic tables or fire pits), and enjoy “farm to glass” cocktails and live music.
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Nauti Spirits Distillery
916 Shunpike RdOn farmland a short drive outside of town, this is a fun, family-friendly spot for happy hour and/or a casual picnic dinner. BYO food (or order from the rotating on-site food truck), BYO picnic blanket (or gather around one of their picnic tables or fire pits), and enjoy “farm to glass” cocktails and live music.
Come off the beach and hit the roof deck here (the Montreal Hotel’s bar) - grab a signature Orange Crush and enjoy the live music!
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Harry's Ocean Bar & Grille
1025 Beach AveCome off the beach and hit the roof deck here (the Montreal Hotel’s bar) - grab a signature Orange Crush and enjoy the live music!
A fun happy hour spot, with live music, good-enough food, fire pits, and sand pit for kids to run.
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Rusty Nail
205 Beach AveA fun happy hour spot, with live music, good-enough food, fire pits, and sand pit for kids to run.
The porch/lawn of this historic hotel is lovely for drinks and live music - it’s especially fun on summer Thursday evenings, when the spot hosts a “ramble” jam session with whichever musicians turn up to play.
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The Chalfonte Hotel
301 Howard StThe porch/lawn of this historic hotel is lovely for drinks and live music - it’s especially fun on summer Thursday evenings, when the spot hosts a “ramble” jam session with whichever musicians turn up to play.
Congress Hall’s lawn is as idyllic for evening cocktails as it is for morning coffee. If you’re lucky, you will visit on a night when the hotel is hosting a wedding, which makes for great people-watching. In inclement weather, head inside to the cozy Brown Room.
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Congress Hall
200 Congress PlCongress Hall’s lawn is as idyllic for evening cocktails as it is for morning coffee. If you’re lucky, you will visit on a night when the hotel is hosting a wedding, which makes for great people-watching. In inclement weather, head inside to the cozy Brown Room.
Your Morning Coffee/Breakfast
This is Job’s preferred spot, though seating is limited (better to order to-go and sit on the pedestrianised Washington Street Mall. They also have bananas, naturally sweetened smoothies, and energy balls, if you're trying to keep your kids away from refined sugar at 8 AM :)
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Out There Coffee
315 Ocean StThis is Job’s preferred spot, though seating is limited (better to order to-go and sit on the pedestrianised Washington Street Mall. They also have bananas, naturally sweetened smoothies, and energy balls, if you're trying to keep your kids away from refined sugar at 8 AM :)
Is there anything Congress Hall’s iconic porch/lawn can't do? An idyllic spot for coffee and newspaper reading even if you're not a hotel guest. Physical newspapers are available at Della’s 5&10 on the Mall.
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Congress Hall
200 Congress PlIs there anything Congress Hall’s iconic porch/lawn can't do? An idyllic spot for coffee and newspaper reading even if you're not a hotel guest. Physical newspapers are available at Della’s 5&10 on the Mall.
It's not Paris by any stretch...but it's what we're working with. We recommend the hand pies and anything almond-filled.
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Chez Michel
600 Park BlvdIt's not Paris by any stretch...but it's what we're working with. We recommend the hand pies and anything almond-filled.
We're not in New York, but this is not bad. The feta/cucumber/dill cream cheese is a must.
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Bagel Time Cafe
4600 Atlantic AveWe're not in New York, but this is not bad. The feta/cucumber/dill cream cheese is a must.
For something more substantial, do breakfast at this Cape May mainstay. Go early to minimize queuing and definitely order a bloody mary.
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The Mad Batter Restaurant & Bar
19 Jackson StFor something more substantial, do breakfast at this Cape May mainstay. Go early to minimize queuing and definitely order a bloody mary.
Most think of Lobster House as a dinner spot, but don't miss its old school/time-warp Coffee Shop -- enjoy breakfast (as early as 6 am!) with the fishing crews (Cape May is one of NJ’s oldest still-operational commercial fishing ports).
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The Lobster House
906 Schellengers Landing RdMost think of Lobster House as a dinner spot, but don't miss its old school/time-warp Coffee Shop -- enjoy breakfast (as early as 6 am!) with the fishing crews (Cape May is one of NJ’s oldest still-operational commercial fishing ports).
Leni's Picks (Family-Friendly Activities)
Cape May is great for all ages. There are the traditional shore classics - mini-golf (three courses within walking distance), an arcade, and ice cream, but also some unique options not available in other beach towns, many of which are as fun for adults as they are for kids.
Extra energy? Spend a morning climbing ALL the steps of this lighthouse.
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Cape May Lighthouse
215 Light House AveExtra energy? Spend a morning climbing ALL the steps of this lighthouse.
Hunt for legendary Cape May Diamonds at Sunset Beach (where you can also glimpse the Concrete Ship way out in the water).
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Sunset Beach
Sunset BlvdHunt for legendary Cape May Diamonds at Sunset Beach (where you can also glimpse the Concrete Ship way out in the water).
This is actually a real zoo (yes, I was also shocked)! Admission is pay-what-you-wish. Picnic tables available if you'd like to bring lunch
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Cape May County Park & Zoo
707 U.S. 9This is actually a real zoo (yes, I was also shocked)! Admission is pay-what-you-wish. Picnic tables available if you'd like to bring lunch
A local, miniature Colonial Williamsburg (featuring a brewery for the grown-ups).
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Historic Cold Spring Village
735 Seashore RdA local, miniature Colonial Williamsburg (featuring a brewery for the grown-ups).
Chickens, pigs, vegetable/herb gardens, and sometimes live music - it’s a nice place for lunch!
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Beach Plum Farm
140 Stevens StChickens, pigs, vegetable/herb gardens, and sometimes live music - it’s a nice place for lunch!
This is fun and cute! Check their social media - they often offer free activities for family participation, like fishing in the bay with a seine net. Don't miss a chance to see Linguine, their live octopus, eat lunch!
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Nature Center of Cape May
1600 Delaware AveThis is fun and cute! Check their social media - they often offer free activities for family participation, like fishing in the bay with a seine net. Don't miss a chance to see Linguine, their live octopus, eat lunch!